Coin-controlled device.



W. H. STEIGBR. COIN CONTROLLED DEVIOE. APPLICATION FILED KAY 18, mos;

Patented June-15,1909.-

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

ER'WP- M h W. H. STBIGBR. com GONTBOLLED DEVICE.

APPLICATION TILED MAY 18, 1908.

Patented June15, 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2. 1 .4.

" NITE STATES PATH.

T OFICFJ.

WALTER II. STEIGER, OF ELMIRA, NEW YORK, Ab SIGNOR TO UNION SHOE POLISHING MACHINE COMPANY, OF ELMIRA, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

COIN-CONTROLLED DEVICE.

Specification oi Letters Patent.

Patented June 15, 1909.

Application filed May 18, 1908. Serial No. 433,527.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER H. Srnronn, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Elmira, in the county of Chemung and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in CoinCon trolled Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in coin-controlled devices adapted for use in connection with serving-mechanism, and more particularly to a device of this character in which an intermittent operation of the serving-mechanism is eilected by the passage of a single coin through the device.

It has for its primary object, the production of a device of this character which is simple and durable in construction, and which is not likely to get out of repair.

A further object is the provision of means within the coin-passage of the device for contact with the sides of the coin introduced therein, in contradistinction to devices of similar nature wherein contact is made with the edges of the coin to provide simple and eliective means for releasing the coins from their positions of contact and in the employment of positive arresting-mechanism to arrest the coin in its passage through the device.

IVith these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the arrangement and combination of devices, and in the construction, arrangement and. combination of parts to be hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the subjoined claims.

In the drawings,Figure l is a sectional elevation of a portion of a coin-controlled machine showing my improved coin-controlled device in side elevation and in connection with aportion of the serving-mechanism oi the machine. Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevation of my improved coin-controlled device with a portion of the coin-arresting device broken away. Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the same. Fig. 4 is a central longitudinal section through the device, taken on line 44, Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a side elevation with the outer member of the device removed to expose the coin-passage. Fig. 6 is a transverse section taken on line 66, Fig. 2. Fig. '7 is a detached perspective view of one of the coin pressure-springs.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

Referring particularly to Fig. 1, A represents the casing of a coin-controlled machine, B my improved coin-controlled de vice, and C a part of the serving-mechanism of the machine which is operatively connected with the coin pressure-device (hereinafter described) of my improved coincontrolled device by means of connectingmechanism D. I desire it to be understood that the term serving-mechanism is to be construed as meaning any element or combination of elements adapted to give a return for money deposited in the coin-controlled device.

In the various figures of the drawings, E designates the body of the device which is preferably of oblong formation and comprises a solid outer member F, an inner member G having a longitudinal slot g ar ranged centrally therein and separated from said outer member by spacing pieces I'I, H which are separated from each other by an intervening space it curved at one end, as at 7L1, to form a longitudinal coin-passage terminating at one end in a right-angled eX- tension opening at the top of the device, as best shown in Fig. 5. Members F and G, and the spacing pieces H and H are secured together by means of rivets I, or in any other approved manner; such parts being of insulating material.

In use, the device is inclined in the manner shown in Fig. 1, so that a coin inserted in the coin-passage will roll from the entrance of said passage to the exit end. In communication with said coin-passage is a coin-chute J which may be directed to any suitable point outside 01' the casing of the c0in-controlled machine so that the coin can be conveniently introduced into the device. Brackets K are provided which are secured to the upper and lower edges of the body and by means of which the device may be secured to the wall oi the casing.

Embedded in the outer member F are two pairs of metallic electrical contacts L whose contact-faces are preferably flush with the inner face of said member, and each pair forms an electrical actuating-element and is adapted to be bridged by a coin introduced into the coin-passage and thus establish an electric-current. Each 01' said contacts is provided with a metallic post L which proj ects through an opening in the outer member F and they have wires 1 secured thereto which lead to' binding-sockets Z Corresponding-posts of each pair of contacts are connected to a single binding-socket 1 to which are attached wires Z leading to the source of electrical power and which form a circuit in which an electric motor is included; said motor being adapted to actuate the serving-mechanism. The current is adapted to pass through the circuit-wires when a coin is introduced into the coin-passage and bridges a pair of contacts.

A coin-pressure device M is provided which comprises a bar M having on its inner face two pressure-springs mwhich extend through the slot 9 in the inner member G of the body and have their free ends normally positioned in the coin-passage in close proximity to the contacts L; one pressure-spring being arranged centrally in rear of each pair of contacts. Upon introduction of a coin into the coin-passage, said springs serve to press the coin firmly against said contacts, thus bridging the contacts and assuring a positive electrical-connection by contact over an extended surface since the pressure-springs act to press one of the flat-sides oi the coin against the contacts. Said coin-pressure device is guided for lengthwise movement between two angle-plates N which are provided with oblique guide-slots a into which project the ends of pins m passing through the bar M ofsaid pressure-device. Upon moving said bar lengthwise in one direction, it is caused to be moved toward the body of the coin-apparatus and carries the pressure-springs m with it, said springs being thus positioned to arrest and press a coin against the contacts. When moving said bar in the opposite direction, the pins m thereof ride down the oblique slots, causing the bar to be moved out- Ward and the pressure-springs m carried thereby to be moved away from the contacts, thus permitting a coin held between one of said springs and its cooperating contacts to proceed on its way through the coinpassage. Bar 1 1 is connected ith a pivoted lever O by means of a link 0, and said lever in turn is operatively connected with the serving-mechanism oi the machine so that the latter controls the movements of the coin pressure-device M.

The various parts of the coin-controlled device are maintained in normal position by a retractile spring P secured at one end to the body of said device and at its other end to lever O.

A coin introduced into the coin-passage comes in contact with the first actuating-element and is pressed against the latter by the first pressure-spring m in the path of the coin. An electric-current is thus established by the coin bridging the two contacts of said actuating-element and the serving mechanism is thereby set into action until said mechanism acts to draw the coin-pressure device M outward, whereupon the coin deposited is released from the first actuatingelement and continues in its travel through the coin-passage. It then comes in contact with an arresting-device R comprising a wire bent at its inner end into U-shape, as at r, and terminates within the coin-passage. Its

outer end extends through the casing of the machine and has a head or enlargement r to conveniently manipulate the same. Said arresting-device is guided in brackets S secured to the body of the device and between one of said brackets and a collar 8 on said wire, a coil-spring T is interposed which serves to hold the inner end of said wire in the path of a coin attempting to pass through the coin-passage. It is therefore necessary in order to actuate the servingmechanism a second-time, that the arresting-device be actuated to allow the coin to pass onward to the second actuatingelement. The coin in continuing its passage is held against said second actuating-element by the second pressure-spring m on the coin-pressure device; thus again establishing an electric-current and setting the serving-mechanism into action until the latter draws the bar M outward and the pressurespring m away from the coin, after which the coin is permitted to pass onward and be discharged through the end 01' the coin passage and deposited within a coin-receptacle U provided for that purpose I have found from experience, that there is a possibility of a coin adhering to the contacts after the pressure device is drawn outward, owing to the current passing through the space between the coin and the pressuresprings in of said device. To avoid this, I have provided release-devices, in the form of kickers or trip-levers V which are pivotally mounted between their ends on pintles 12 secured between the body of the coin-controlled device and the angle-plates N. Said kickers extend into the slot 9 and normally have their inner ends terminating short of the coinpassage h. The pressure-springs we have slots m through which said kickers extend, and the outer ends of said kickers extend into or pass through slots m in the pressure-bar and are provided with slots 12 through which the pins m are passed. hen the pressuredevice is moved inward and a coin is held in contact with an actuating-element by the pressure-springs, the inner ends of the kickers are drawn out of the coin-passage, but when drawing the pressure-device outward to move the pressure-springs away from the coin, the said kickers are moved inward and in the direction of travel of the coin so that the latter is engaged and forced to travel through the coin-ymssage. In this manner, retention of the coin due to the electric-current arising cannot take place.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is,

1. In a device of the character described, the combination with a coin-operated serving-mechanism, of a source of electrical-energy, a plurality of actuating-elements operatively connected therewith, a coin-passage so disposed with reference to said actuatingelements that a coin engages therewith successively, means for pressing the coin against said actuating-elements, and operative connection between said means and the servingmechanism.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination with a coin-operated serving-mechanism, of a source of electrical-energy, a coin-passage, a plurality of actuatingelements in said coin-passage and electrically connected with said sources of electrical-energy, a pressure-device having a plurality of press Lire-elements to successively hold a coin in contact with said actuating-elements, operative connection between said pressure-device and the serving-mechanism, and means for arresting the coin intermediate said actuating-elements.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination with a coin-operated serving-mechanism, of a source of electrical-energy, a body provided with a coinpassage, a pair of contacts in electrical connection with said source ol" energy and separated from each other by an intervening space adapted to be bridged by a coin introduced into said passage, a spring in the path of the coin adapted to press the latter against said con tacts, and means for moving said spring to release the coin after actuation of said serving-mechanism.

l. In a device of the character described, the combination with a coin-operated serving-mechanism, of a source of electrical-energy, a body provided with a coin-passage, two pairs of contacts in electrical connection with said source of electrical-energy, each pair of contacts being insulated from the other pair and the contacts of each pair being insulated from each other, a spring in close proximity to each pair of contacts but out of physical-contact therewith, said springs serving to press a coin introduced in the coin-pas sage against said contacts to cause actuation of said serving-Inechanism, means for arresting the coin intermediate the two )airs of contacts, and operative connection etween said springs and the serving-mechanism to be actuated at a predetermined point in the movement of said serving-mechanism.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination with a coin-controlled serving-mechanism, of a source of electrical-energy, a coin-passage having a plurality of actuating-elements in electrical connection with said source of electrical-energy, a pressure-bar having pressure-springs corresponding in number to the number of actuatingelements and normally in such relation to the latter that a coin introduced into the coinpassage will be pressed thereby against said elements, manually-operative means intermediate said actuatingelements for arresting the coin in its passage from one actuating-element to the next, and operative connection between said pressure-bar and the serving-mechanism.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination of an operating electricalcircuit, of a coinassage having contacts arranged in a plura ity of pairs included in said circuit, the contacts of each pair being separated and insulated from each other, a spring normally extending into the coin-passage and pressing the Hat side of a coin against said contacts, means for moving said spring away from said contacts to release the coin, and means for arresting the coin in its passage from one pair of contacts to the other.

7. In a device of the character described, the combination with an operating electricalcircuit, of an elongated body having a coins passage and a longitudinal slot extending from said passage to one of the faces of said body, a pair of contacts arranged to one side of said coin-passage, a longitudinally-dis posed bar having a pressure-spring extending through said slot and into said coin-passage and adapted to press a coin against said contacts, and means for guiding said bar to cause said spring to move toward and from said contacts.

8. In a device of the character described, the combination with an operating electricalcircuit, of an elongated body having a coinpassage and a plurality of contacts in said passage included in said circuit, said contacts being arranged in pairs and those of each pair being separated. and insulated from each other, guides secured to said body and having oblique slots therein, a bar arranged between said guides and having guide-pins projecting into said slots, pressure-springs secured to said bar with their free ends in operative relation to said contacts and adapted to press a coin passing through said coin-passage against said contacts, means for moving said bar to cause said pressure-springs to move toward and from said contacts, and manuallyoperated means for arresting the coin in its passage from one pair of contacts to the other.

9. In a device of the character described, the combination with an operating electrical circuit, of an elongated body comprising two members separated by spacing pieces forming a coin-passage between said members, one of said members having a longitudinal slot therein, a plurality of actuating-elements included in said circuit and adapted to be engaged by a coin passing through said coinassage, guides secured to said slotted memher at opposite sides of its slot and having oblique slots therein, a longitudinally-movable bar having guide-pins entering said oblique slots, pressure-springs extending through the slot in the body and normally extending into said coin-passage to press a coin passing through said passage against the actuating-elements, and means for arresting the coin in its passage from one of said actuating-elements to the other.

10. In a device of the character described, the combination with an operating electrical circuit, of an elongated body having a coin passage and a longitudinal slot extending from said coin-passage outward, a pair of contacts within said passage and included in said circuit, a pressure-device movable toward and from said contacts and normally positioned to press a coin passing through said passage against said contacts, and guides secured to said body between which said pressure-device is guided.

11. In a device of the character described, the combination. with a coin-operated serving-mechanism, of a source of electrical-energy, a plurality of actuating-elements operatively connected therewith, a coin-passage so disposed with reference to said actuatingelements that a coin engages therewith successively, means for pressing the coin against said actuating-elements, means for releasing said coin from said actuating-elements, and operative connection between pressure and releasing means and the serving-mechanism.

12. In a device of the character described, the combination with a coin-operated serving-mechanism, of a source of electrical-energy, a coin-passage, a plurality of actuatingelements in said coin-passage and electrically-connected with said source of electricalenergy, a pressure-device having a plurality of pressure-elements to successively hold a coin in contact with said actuating-elements, operative connection between said pressuredevice and the serving-mechanism, means for forcing the coin away from said actuating-elements, and means for arresting the coin at a point intermediate said actuatingelements.

13. In a device of the character described, the combination with a coin-operated serving-mechanism, of a source of electrical-ens ergy, a body provided with a coin-passage, a pair of contacts in electrical connection with said source of energy and separated from each other by an intervening-space adapted to be bridged by a coin introduced into said passage, a spring in the path of the coin and movable toward and from said contacts, and a kicking-device adapted to engage said coin to force the same away from said contacts when moving said spring away from said contacts.

14. In a device of the character described, the combination with a coin-operated serving-mechanism, of a source of electrical-energy, a coin-passage, a plurality of actuatingelements in said coin-passage and electrically connected with said source of electricalenergy, a pressure-device having a plurality of pressure-elements to successively hold a coin in contact with said actuating-elements, operative connection between said pressuredevice and the serving-mechanism, a' kicker cooperating with each of said pressure-elements and acting to force the coin away from said contacts when relieved of pressure, and means for arresting the coin intermediate said actuating-elements 15. In a device of the character described, the combination with a coin-controlled serving-mechanism, of a source of electrical-energy, a coin-passage having a plurality of actuating-elements, in electrical connection with said source of electrical-energy, a pressure-bar having pressure-springs corresponding in number to the number of actuatingelements and normally in such relation to the latter that a coin introduced into the coin-passage will be pressed thereby against said elements, means adapted to engage the coin and force the same away from said actuating elements, said means being actuated by said pressure-bar, and operative connection between said pressure-bar and the serving-mechanism.

16. In a device of the character described, the combination with an operating electricalcircuit, of an elongated body comprising two members separated by spacing pieces forming a coin-passage between said members, one of said members having a longitudinal slot therein, a plurality of actuating-elements included in said circuit and adapted to be engaged by a coin passing through said coin-passage, guides secured to said slotted member at op osite sides of its slot and having oblique s ots therein, a longitudinally movable bar having guide-pins entering said oblique slots, and being provided with slots through which said guide-pins pass, kickingsaid actuating-elements, and means for arresting the coin in its passage from one of said actuating-elements to the other.

In testimony whereof, I have aflixed my 15 signature in the presence of two subscribing levers pivotally secured between their ends and having their inner ends extending into said longitudinal slot in the body and their outer ends passing through the slots in said longitudinally-movable bar, said outer ends witnesses.

having slots throu 'h which said 'uidepins are passed, re sure-springs exte nding WALTER STEIGLR' through the slot 111 the body and normally Witnesses:

extending into said coin-passage to press a WILLIAM J. FREDIE, OOlIl passing through said passage against D. F. OoNNELLY. 

